(rhymes with Self-Righteousness) I celebrate how being in mutually vulnerable friendships with people of all colors has taught me a more balanced perspective on reality. I lament Anglo-America's aggressive fragility in regards to racial injustice, so I write and compile from a Jesus-following perspective of setting tables towards respect and relationship. This is not anti-white people, but anti-Whiteousness: against the concept that white ideals, ideas, and people are superior. (c) 2016-18

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

On the Road with Dismantling Whiteousness

As part of our move from Los Angeles to Detroit, we are taking a cross-country road trip retracing our steps that led us to LA 14 years ago. Part of that will include a Video Blog to include voices: yours, and others. We want to create dialogue around the very important notion, which is Biblical, just, and beautiful, that diversity truly matters but that we don't do a great job appreciating it. Here are just some of the questions I'd like to ask people in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Washington DC, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Ohio.

1. What are some of the ways we can define or determine who our neighbors are? How should service, volunteering and public service, work into this?

2. What are some of the cultural, racial, ethnic, and generational differences in your community?

3. How do we love each other through these, or make space for our differences?

4. Who are modern day Samaritans, or “those people” on the “other side of the tracks?”

5. What questions would you ask someone outside of your race if you weren’t afraid of asking the question “wrong,” weren’t worried that the question itself might offend?

6. What might the difference between “Color-Blind” and “Color-Brave” be?

7. Do you think the over-criminalization of black and brown people hurts everyone in the US? If so, how?

8. Have you ever been hurt by someone from another race? Have you ever been blessed by someone from another race, especially in a way that surprised you?

9. Is active anti-racism a vital part of following Jesus if you consider yourself a Christian?

10. Is there anything you feel is often misunderstood about the culture group you stem from? Is there one thing you wish you didn't always need to explain to people? Is there one thing you wish people just understood?11. Is there anything you’d like to share about modern race relations?

Also, Marvin Wadlow and I are gearing up to come lead workshops in a town near you, so if you're interested in bringing us to your school, your church, or your business, please send inquiries here: The Table Setters.